15-keto-13-14-dihydroprostaglandin-f2alpha and Fetal-Resorption

Maternal Type I (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus is associated with an increased risk for fetal malformations and spontaneous abortions. Although the pathogenic mechanism is not fully understood, reactive oxygen species have been shown to contribute to the pathogenesis in experimental studies. By measuring 8-iso-PGF2alpha and protein carbonyls, radical oxygen damage to lipids and proteins can be estimated. The aim of this study was to investigate the status of lipid peroxidation and protein carbonylation in mothers and fetuses in experimental diabetic pregnancy.. Non-pregnant and pregnant rats with and without streptozotocin-induced diabetes were studied after 4 weeks of diabetes or at gestational day 19, respectively. Gross morphology of the offspring was studied and 24 h urine, plasma, amniotic fluid, maternal and fetal livers were collected. Concentrations of 8-iso-PGF2alpha, 15-keto-DH-PGF2alpha and other oxidative stress variables were measured.. Malformation and resorption rates were increased in diabetic litters, whereas fetal weights were decreased in the control rats. There were no statistically significant differences in maternal plasma concentrations of 8-iso-PGF2alpha, but plasma protein carbonyl content was increased in the diabetic groups. Pregnancy increased 24 h urinary excretion of 8-iso-PGF2alpha in diabetic rats but not in the control rats. There was no difference in the amniotic fluid concentration of 8-iso-PGF2alpha between the normal and the diabetic group. However, in the diabetic group there was a correlation between the uterine horn concentration of 8-iso-PGF2alpha and the percentage of resorptions.. In diabetic pregnancy, both diabetes and pregnancy are promoting oxygen radical damage. Fetal oxidative stress markers do not clearly reflect fetal morphology.

Topics: Amniotic Fluid; Animals; Congenital Abnormalities; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental; Dinoprost; F2-Isoprostanes; Female; Fetal Resorption; Lipid Peroxides; Liver; Pregnancy; Pregnancy in Diabetics; Pregnancy Outcome; Proteins; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Reference Values; Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances

Fourteen unvaccinated and seronegative ewes were experimentally infected with bovine virus diarrhoea virus around day 60 of pregnancy. Two other groups of pregnant ewes served as control animals. The animals were followed with ultrasound scanning to study the status of the fetus and with frequent blood sampling for analysis of progesterone and 15-keto-13,14-dihydro-PGF2 alpha, two hormones that could reflect the propagation of the infection. The unvaccinated ewes responded to the infection with abortion, resorption of the fetus, mummification or no changes at all. The endocrinological changes reflected in a most adequate way the pathological changes in the uterus. Detailed endocrinological studies can contribute to the understanding of the pathogenesis of some infectious diseases that affect reproduction.

Topics: Abortion, Veterinary; Animals; Bovine Virus Diarrhea-Mucosal Disease; Cattle; Cattle Diseases; Dinoprost; Female; Fetal Resorption; Fetal Viability; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious; Progesterone; Prostaglandins F; Sheep; Sheep Diseases; Ultrasonography